Natural Gas: Is It Right For Your Home?

Natural gas is in the news a lot lately. So, more homeowners are considering converting their homes to gas. If you are considering switching to this type of energy, here is what you should know to see if this is the right choice for your home.

Natural Gas Energy

Natural gas is a fossil fuel that is formed from layers of buried animals and plants are exposed to extreme heat and pressure over many thousands of years. The energy that they have absorbed from the sun is stored in the form of carbon in natural gas.

Natural gas can heat your home and it can also power some appliances like dryers and water heaters. It burns a lot cleaner than heating oil with only a small part of the nitrates and sulfates that can cause acid rain, plus it produces nearly 30% fewer carbon emissions than oil. As a result, the air is cleaner, there is less wear and tear on your heating system and lower maintenance costs. Unlike propane, you do not have to install an outside storage tank since the gas comes through underground pipes.

Natural gas is sold in units of cubic feet or therms. A therm of gas is equivalent to 100,000 BTUs. A BTU is the amount of heat that is necessary to elevate the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit.

Natural Gas Costs and Savings

Natural gas is often number 2 in the list of cheaper alternative heating sources instead of heating oil. The cost of heating oil has increase over the past few years, so the price of natural gas is often cheaper than heating oil.

Furnaces and Boilers

Homeowners who decide to switch to natural gas can anticipate paying anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000 to convert their oil burner to natural gas. The costs may vary, depending on the size of the home, the age of your equipment and other fees. It may cost $7,000 to $13,000 to install a new natural gas furnace in your home.

New natural gas furnaces have an AFUE rating between 89% and 98%. Gas furnaces are typically more energy efficient but they can cost between 10% and 25% more that other types of furnaces.

Natural gas units will require very little maintenance and you usually will not have a service contract. Gas furnaces are usually quieter to run and they are cleaner that oil furnaces.

Natural Gas Safety

Gas, oil and wood heating systems emit dangerous levels of carbon monoxide that can build up over time and become a “silent killer”. If you have any of these systems in your home, experts recommend placing hardwired carbon monoxide detectors throughout your entire home.

Local power companies provide natural gas. So, contact your power provider to see if this option is available in your area.

Natural gas is in the news a lot lately. So, more homeowners are considering converting their homes to gas. If you are considering switching to this type of energy, here is what you should know to see if this is the right choice for your home. Natural Gas Energy Natural gas is a fossil fuel… Continue Reading